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Ground-pine

Lycopodium clavatum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Ground-pine (Lycopodium clavatum)
Photo: (c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Timothy McNitt

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, CA, CT, DE and 28 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

PiedmontNorthern ForestsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Ground-pine is a low-growing evergreen clubmoss that forms dense, spreading mats with upright branching stems resembling tiny pine trees. This ancient plant species produces distinctive cone-like spore structures in summer and maintains its green color year-round. It spreads slowly by underground runners to create attractive groundcover patches.

In an HOA neighborhood

Ground-pine takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Unusual appearance may confuse neighbors unfamiliar with native plants
  • Very informal groundcover lacks structured garden appearance
  • Slow establishment may look sparse initially

Wildlife value

Ground-pine provides shelter for small insects and spiders within its dense mat structure. As a spore-producing plant rather than a flowering species, it does not attract pollinators but offers habitat for ground-dwelling invertebrates.

Common questions

How much sun does Ground-pine need?
Ground-pine grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Ground-pine bloom?
Ground-pine blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Ground-pine native?
Ground-pine (Lycopodium clavatum) is native to AL, CA, CT, DE and 28 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Ground-pine HOA-friendly?
Ground-pine takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Ground-pine? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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